Reflecting unit



Sept.6,193s. f @QM-LUCE 2,329,017

REFLECTING UNIT BY mgm Sept., 6, 1938. R W. LUCE REFLECTING UNIT Filed Dec. 18, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 RMA/Q0 n4 aff BY ATTQRNEY XIII! sept. 6, 193s. Rf W, LUCE 2,129,017

REFLECTING UNIIl4 Filed Dec. 18, 1934 4 sheets-sheet s mmm MToRmzYy Sept. 6, 1938. R. w. LUCE REFLEGTING UNIT Filed Dec. 18, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNvENToR '/P/cf/A/Pp W. .lz/cf BY mgm ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,129,017 REFLECTING UNIT Richard W. Luce, Westfield, N.

J., assignor to Signal Service Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application December 18, 1934, Serial No. 758,026

3 claims.

'I'he invention herein disclosed relates to a light-reflecting, autocollimating unit that is cable of being rendered periodically ineffective.

Light-reiiecting, autocollimating units reflect light falling thereon back in the general direction of the incident rays. Because of this characteristic, these units are commonly used in,

ergy which is required for a. primary source of light. Heretofore, however it has not been possible to obtain the advantages of the light-reilecting, autocollimating units and at the same time secure the advantages inherent in an intermittently operative light source such as is used in the hashing-road side warning signs and animated signs, andit is an object of this'invention to provide a light-reilecting, autocollimating unit which may be rendered periodically ineffec tive for such purposes.

In accordance with the invention, a light-refleeting, autocollimating unit is provided with the elements necessary for returning light falling thereon back in the general direction of the incident rays and in addition elements that are op-` erative to render the reflecting unit ineffective and the operation of which may be controlled to produce any desired effect. Two specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, one in which a light screen is movable into and out of a position in which the reile'cting unit is rendered ineffective, andthe other in which an active element of the reecting unit, specifically the reiiector, is movably mounted for movement between an effective position, in which it cooperates in reflecting light falling thereon back in the general-direction of the incident rays, andv an ineffective position in which the unit is rendered inelective for reflecting light falling thereon.

The first mentioned embodiment is illustrated in Figs. l to 10 and the second in Figs. 11 to 16 of the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a blinking, lightreiiecting, autocolllmating unit suitable for a road-side, warning sign;

Fig. 2-is a, front elevation of a partthereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of the light-reliecting unit thereof; 4

sired without the necessity of providing the enf Fig. 4 is a plan with the cover of the casing removed;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional, front elevation taken alongl the line G- oi Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail illustrating the mounting o'f the reflecting-units;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation oi the same taken along the irregular line 8-8 of Fig. '7

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the electromagnetic unit for operating the light screen;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan taken along the line lD--Ill of Fig. 9; I

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal, sectional elevation of a catadioptric reflecting unit; f

Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the same taken along the line l2--l2 of Fig. ll;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal, sectional plan of the same taken along the line l3-l3 of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 14 is a transverse section of the same takenl along the line llli4 of Fig. 1l; and

Fig. 15 is a similar section taken along the line l5--l5 of Fig. l1.

The road-side warning sign as illustrated in Figs. l to 10 includes a base l from which a hollow standard 2 extends and a reflecting unit 3 mounted upon the top of the standard. The re-I fleeting unit is provided with a circular casing open at the top and having a circular aperture in the sidethereof defined by a boss t. Normally l.

the casing is closed by a cover 5 which is provided With a gasket 6 by means of which the interior of the reflecting-unit may be sealed. The cover is provided with a biiurcated bracket 5a which is pivoted to a bracket 'l extending from the case of the reflecting unit. Diametrically opposite to ,the bracket l, there is on the casing a bracket 8 having a vertical opening therethrough. The opening through the bracket t receives a bolt 9 that is pivotally secured to a bracket 5b extending from the cover. The coverisfirmly secured in place by a nut threaded on to the bolt 9 and engaging the bracket 8. Thetop of the case y is thus closed and' sealed as it is common to fill the case of the reflector-unit with an inert gas and thus exclude the moisture and dust-laden atmosphere.

The aperture through the side of the case is closed by a protective lens l0 which is secured to the end of the boss 4 by a ring frame ll. The lens l0 has no lenticular functionfbut is merely provided for the purpose of sealing the aperture through the side of the case and protecting the elements of the reflecting-unit. The lens l0 is,

however, slightly curved to prevent specular reflection. At the opposite end of the boss, there is a light-distributing lens I2 which is secured against a shoulder in the bushing by a spring ring I3 fitting into a complementary groove.

Behind the opening through the side of the case, there is mounted a reflector of the type commonly known as a triple reflector and consisting of three flat reflectors I4, I5 and I6, the

three reflecting surfaces converging in the manner of the three adjacent sides of a cube. Each of these reflectors is made of a piece of plate glass properly silvered. The reflectors are mounted within the unit on a frame I1 which is an irregular polygon in shape. The frame I1 issecured to the bottom of the case by a bolt I8 and to a flange 4a, on the boss, by a strap I9.

The reflectors are secured to this frame, the plane of which is parallel to the plane of the aperture, through hplates 20, 2l and 22. Each plate has a flange a extending at an angle thereto and secured to the frame I1. The plates thus extend at an angle to the plane ofthe frame. The manner in which each reflector is secured to its particular supporting plate is illustrated in Figs. 'I and 8 wherein the details of the mounting of the reector I5 are disclosed. The reflector I5 is, as heretofore stated, a piece of plate glass which has molded thereon at approximately the center thereof a hollow boss 23. Into this boss there is fitted a pin 24 having an enlarged head 25 which abuts against the bottom of the boss. The pin is secured in the boss 23 by pitch 26 and extends from the reflector, perpendicular thereto. In the center of the plate, there is an opening which is substantially larger in diameter than the boss 23. Through this opening the pin, and into the opening, the boss 23 extend. A washer 21 surrounds the pin and rests upon or abuts against the surface of the plate. A smaller Washer 28 is secured on the pin 24 adjacent the outer or free end thereof. A spring 29 acts between the washer 21 and the washer 28 and tends to urge the reflector against the plate. Three set screws 30, 3I and 32 are provided with reduced ends' that are received in depressions in the surface of the reflector. 'I'hese set screws extend through and are threaded in openings in the plate and are successively spaced about the opening through the plate through which the pin 24 extends through angles of These adjusting screws, together with the loose t of the pin, provide an adjustment similar to that used for levelling plates. This adjustment is provided for the purpose of properly adjusting the three reflectors with respect to each other so that any light falling on the unit or passing through the aperture is returned in the general direction of the incident rays. It is only necessary that two of the reflector plates be adjustable, for if two of the reflector plates are properly adjusted with respect to the third, the three must be in properadjustment.

It is to be noted that there is a slot between the adjacent sides of the reflectors I4 and IG and a slot cut into the reflector I5 which forms a continuation of the slot formed by the separation of the adjacent edges of the reflectors I4 and I6. This slot is provided so that a light screen or shutter, in the form of an opaque metal disk 33 that may be painted black to absorb light, may be moved through the reflectors. 'Ihe disk 33 is mounted on a shaft 34, the axis of which is parallel to the plane of the frame I1.

The lower end of the shaft is rotatably `mounted in a thrust bearing 35 secured to the'iiottom of the case and the upper end of"thshaft is rotatably mounted in a bracket 35 miinted on lugs 36 and 31 extending from the inner-,surface of the case of the unit. The disk 33 ls mounted on the shaft so that upon rotation of the shaft the disk enters the slots in the reflector and interrupts the normal passage of light. The disk has a sector of approximately cut therefrom, and a counterbalance 38 is secured on the shaft to provide the Weight which has been removed by cutting the sector from the disk. 'I'he disk on entering the slot in the reflector interrupts the incident light after the initial reection within the reector and thus prevents a return of the light to the light source. To completely darken the unit the disk must interrupt all of the incident light.

The shaft 34 is oscillated by an electromagnet 39 which is mounted on a plate 40 that is supported on pins 4I and 42 extending from the bracket 35. The electromagnet is provided with an armature 39a which is pivotally secured to a. bifurcated bracket 43 on the magnet.. The free end of the armature 39a is provided with an electrical contact element 44 on one side and the opposite side is secured to one end of a spring 45. The opposite end of the spring 45 is secured to a leaf spring 46 secured, at one end, to a plate 41 by a bolt 48. The opposite end of the yleaf spring abuts against an adjusting screw 49 which extends through and is threaded in the plate 41. The leaf spring an'd adjusting screw provide a means by which the tension on the spring 45 may be adjusted. 'I'he armature 39a acts between two limit stops. 'Ihese limit stops are adjustable machine screws 50 and 5I which extend through and are threaded in the arms 52a and 52h of a bifurcated bracket 52 that is secured to the bracket 35. The armature lies in the path of a pin 53 that extends from a radial arm 54V mounted upon the shaft 34 adjacent its upper end. When the pin 53 is in contact with the contact 44 of the armature of the electromagnet, the disk is so positioned that it is out of the reflectors, that is, the cut-out sector lies adjacent the reflectors so that the reflecting unit is effective. A hair spring 55 secured at one end to the shaft 34 and at the other end to a lug 56, extending from a plate 51 mounted on the bracket 35, biases the ref-lector to the position in which the pin 53 is in contact with the armature of the electromagnet. In other words, this hair spring provides a force which, upon cessation of the operation of the electromagnet, returns the disk or light screen to the inoperative position or the position in which the reflecting unit is effective.

The velectromagnet is supplied with current from two dry cells 58 and 59 which are mounted in the hollow standard 2. These batteries are connected to the electromagnet through the contact 44 on the armature thereof and the pin 53. When the pin 53 engages the contact 44', the circuit from the batteries to the electromagnet is closed. The armature of the electromagnet is then drawn to ortowards the magnet and in effect kicks the pin, thus causing the shaft 34 to rotate. When the shaft rotates through an angle of approximately 270, the arm 54 strikes against a leaf spring 60 which is secured on the bracket 35. The leaf spring, by the force of contact with the. arm 54 absorbs the energy of the moving shaft and releases that energy to return the shaft. Upon returning, the pin 53 again enings for a shaft 18 gages the contact 4I and the shaft is again actuated by the electromagnet. 'I'he shaft is thus loscillated about its axis and the disk or light screen 33 is caused to intermittently or periodically move into and out of the reilectors. The size of the disk, and the extent of its movement, is such that the reflecting-unit is completely cut ci! and completely opened up: the speed of movement of the disk is such as to produce the best optical effect. The Vdisk screens the reflected light and consequently while it enters from one side, it appears to be entering from both sides and towards the middle. The arrangement thus provides an intermittent or blinking autocollimating unit which in the event of current failure,

that is, failure of the batteries, the light screen is moved to a position in which the reflecting unit is effective.

, This arrangement provides an effective intermittent warning signal which does not require any energy for its illumination. The only energy required i.; the two batteries for operating the light screen. This constitutes a material economy in energy and in servicing.

The unit illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive is of the type, known as a reflecting button, that is commonly used in outlining characters that make up a sign. The unit includes a case 6i in which all of the active parts of the unit are mounted. The case 6I is cup-shaped and a lens 62 is mounted in the open end thereof, the end of the case being beaded over at 61a and embracing the lens. There is also formed in the case at the end of the bead 61a a iiange 63. Mounted adjacent the opposite end of the case there is an electromagnet 64. The electromagnet includes a coil 65 and a core. The core consists of three parts, one part 66 extending through the center of the coil and transversely of the case and two arms 61 and 68 each connected to one end of the central part 66 and extending longitudinally of the case. The arms 61 and 68 are identical in shape, each being formed in the shape of an angle as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1l. Adjacent their free ends the arms 66 and 61 are offset transversely of the unit and in the oiset end portions there are provided internally threaded openings and the end portions are split for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. A

The electromagnet is secured in the unit through a plate 69 which is secured to the end of the casing. The plate is a brass stamping and includes a pair of spaced tongues or arms 10 and l 1i. To these arms 10 and 1i the core arms 61 and 68 are secured by machine screws. The plate 69 is secured to the end of the case by bolts 12 and 13 which also act as electrical connectors for the electromagnet. The plate 69 thus supports the electromagnet in spacedv relation with respect to the walls of the case. One of the bolts, 13, is insulated from the case by an insulated washer through which it extends. The other bolt 12 is not so insulated. One end of the electromagnet is connected to the bolt 13 and the other end is connected directly to the case.

A reflector 14 is mounted between the arms 61 and 68 of the electromagnet. In the opening in the offset portion of each of these arms there is a machine screw 15 and 16 respectively. The ends of the machine screws have centering depressions and these machine screws form bearthrough which the reflector 14 is pivotally mounted between the arms of lthe electromagnet. The shaft 16 extends through a bracket 19 secured to the reflector. The bracket is channel-shaped in plan and the flange por tions thereof are bent to conform to the rear surface of the reflector which is spherical in shape and are secured thereto. The shaft 18 passes through the arms of this bracket and is secured therein against rotational movement relative thereto. The ends'of the shaft 18 are tapered and are received in thecentering depressions ln the machine screws 15 and 16. This construction forms an adjustable construction and a bearing for the shaft 18 which has a minimum of friction. The split ends of the arms may be `compressed on the machine screws in order to set the screws in their adjusted positions.

As constructed, the line about which the reilector pivots is so related to the center of gravity of the reilector and the bracket 19 that the reilector tends to move to a position such as that illustrated in the drawings, that is, the position in which the unit is effective. as the unit-is illustrated in the drawings, the reflector is so positioned that light incident upon the unit will be returned in the general direction of the incident rays. To position the reilector properly, in so far as its pivotal action is concerned, there are provided limit stops 8E) and 6I which engage the web portion of the bracket 19 when the reflector is properly positioned behind the lens unit. rI'hese limit stops each consist of a strip of sheet metal which is secured to and extends transversely from each arm 61 and 6B of the core of the electromagnet. The ends of these strips of metal are bent at right angles to form anges against which the web portion of the bracket 19 abuts. When there is no current passing through the electromagnet, the web portion of the bracket 19 of the reflector unit abuts against the limit stops. The core of the electromagnet and the bracket 19 are made of metal which is a good conductor of lelectromagnetic lines oi force. When the electromagnet is energized, the bracket 19 isacted upon by the magnetic lines of force passing through the core of the electromagnet and moves the bracket into a position in alignment with the arms 61 and 68 of the electromagnet, in which position the reflecting unit is ineffective because the reector is not positioned to .cooperate with the lens unit In other Words,

to return light incident thereon back in the gen- 1 eral direction of the incident rays. When the electromagnet is deenergized, the reflector by virtue of the forces of gravity acting thereon, again assumes the position illustrated in the drawings.

It will be apparent from the above description of the unit illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15 that the unit is susceptible for use in animated signs. When used in such a sign, the electromagnets of the several units making up the sign are energized and deenergized by a circuit controller such as those that are commonly used for animated signs in which the illumination is obtained from a primary source. rl'he only difference is that while the circuit controller in the ordinary animated sign opens and closes the circuit to the primary sources of illumination, the circuit controller in this instance will open and close the circuit to the electromagnet and thus control, in proper sequence and cyclic operation, the effectiveness of the several units making up the animated sign. The amount of energy necessary is very slight as the amount of work to be done by the electromagnet is negligible. The eiects of a luminous animated sign are thus obtained without the energy necessary for a primary source of illumination.

In certain of the units making up an animated sign, it may be desirable to have some units normally ineiective so that in the event of current failure there will be but one set of the units effective and a proper sign will be displayed. For example, where an animated sign consists in giving the effect ,of the legs of an animal, the sign is commonly made up of several pairs of legs and the units making up the several pairs are operated in cyclic operation so that they appear to move. In the event that current fails, itis deslrable that only two pair of legs are illuminated. In order to provide for this contingency the unit illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15 is so constructed that if during assembly of the unit the retlector is mounted upside down, as illustrated in Fig. 11, the unit will be normally ineffective. It is for this purpose that the bracket 19 extends at an angle to the plane of the reflector unit. When mounted in this reverse relation, the weight of the reflector and bracket is such and so related to its pivotal axis that the reflector tends to move( to a position in which the bracket abuts-.against the limit stops. When so positioned, th'e reflector is tilted out of the planez'in which it cooperates with the lens member to return light falling thereon back in the general direction of the incident rays. However'r when the electromagnet is energized, the reflector is brought into an active position and light falling thereon is returned or reected back. It will thus be observed that all of the parts of the reflector units may be constructed alike and in assembling the reflecting units some may be made normally eiective and others normally ineffective. Those which are normally ineffective wil! of course be ineffective in the event of a current failure.

It will be obvious that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art in the details .of the embodiments illustratedin the drawings and described above within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims..

1. A light-reilecting autocollimating unit comprising a triple reflector for reflecting light falling thereon back in the general direction of the incidentrays, the reflector having a slot therethrough, a movably mounted opaque light screen for interrupting the rays of light positioned to enter the slot in the reflector and interrupt the light rays therein and means for moving the light screen into and out of light-interrupting position within the reector.

2. A light-reflecting autocollimating unit comprising a triple reflector for reflecting light falling thereon back in the general direction of the incident rays, the reflector having a slot therethrough, a movably mounted opaque light screen for interrupting the rays of light positioned to .enter the slot in the reflector and interrupt the `i'or interrupting the rays of light positioned to enter the slot in the reflector and interrupt the light rays therein, means for rotating the light screen into and out of light-interrupting position, and'means biasing the reflector to non-light-interrupting position.`

RICHARD W. LUCE. 

